Novak Djokovic is enjoying the Davis Cup this weekend and had no issues in his singles match towards Greece, which lacks its no 1 Stefanos Tsitsipas. The 37-year-old from Belgrade has had the possibility to say goodbye to his followers and play in Serbia for the primary time in a few years (as a result of change of format of the occasion).
The previous world no 1 struggled to search out the best motivation for a lot of this yr, failing a number of tournaments and struggling many surprising losses. Serbian legend has not gained an ATP title this yr, missed 4 of the seven Masters 1000 gamers and reached just one Grand Slam last on the Wimbledon Championships (misplaced to Carlos Alcaraz).
His principal aim in 2024 was the Paris Olympics, the place he lastly gained the gold medal surprising the entire world. The ultimate of the Olympic match towards Alcaraz was most likely the most effective match of this yr and glued to the TV many viewers. The 24-time Grand Slam champion struggled to digest that triumph and didn’t make it to the US Open, the place he was defeated by Australian ace Alexei Popyrin within the third spherical. Novak will play a efficiency with Grigor Dimitrov this month, earlier than the Masters 1000 in Shanghai.
Nole has very clear concepts
Right now, Djokovic wouldn’t qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. The previous world no 1 has performed poorly and badly this yr, slipping means again within the ATP Race. The 24-time Grand Slam champion beat the World No.770 in Davis Cup, Ioannis Xilas, dropping just one recreation (6-0 6-1 the ultimate rating). Novak Djokovic spoke to the media and was very clear in his solutions about what his priorities are at this level in his profession.
When requested what it means to play with Serbia, he mentioned: “Phrases are usually not obligatory, the information communicate for themselves. I feel my dedication says all of it. With the brand new format, I’ve fewer alternatives to play at dwelling. I don’t know the way lengthy I’ll play tennis, however so long as I do, enjoying for Serbia will all the time be a precedence”.
Concerning the motivations he nonetheless finds: “Weeks like this are a motivation for me and assist me to proceed, they’re like an inspiration. If I wish to lengthen my profession I’ve to get pleasure from it, and on days like these you get butterflies in your abdomen, once I really feel that it isn’t so, then it’s over for me”.
After the US Open, Djokovic dropped to quantity 4 on the earth, he’s not but positive of the qualification for Turin however on these features, the Serbian top-ranked participant was very clear explaining how now so many tournaments are not his precedence. Djokovic will return to the Shanghai Masters 1000 after a number of years then ought to play solely the opposite 1000 in Paris-Bercy. “I have no idea when I’ll play after the Shanghai Masters 1000 – mentioned Djokovic – my precedence are solely the Slam and the nationwide matches. The ATP Finals and being on the high of the leaderboard are not targets for me. I don’t know if I’ll play the finals this yr or subsequent, however what I would like most now could be bodily, psychological and emotional relaxation to resolve what are my profession prospects, how a lot I wish to play once more and the place”.
Subsequent yr will likely be essential to know the true ambitions of Nole. The Serbian champion will attempt to add no less than yet another Main to his superb palmarés, however it is not going to be simple to realize this feat by enjoying a number of tournaments and towards opponents a lot youthful than him.
2025 will likely be essential
Throughout a current interview with Sport Klub, former American ace James Blake commented on Novak’s future: “Every thing depends upon Novak. Bodily, he’s nonetheless impeccably match. Now the one query is whether or not he needs to. He has completed and gained all the pieces on this sport. He nonetheless has that fireplace when he wakes up. Does he nonetheless wish to sacrifice all the pieces to proceed to be the most effective? He has been doing this for nearly the final 20 years. If he needs, then he actually has, I gained’t prejudge, however one or two good years. His degree of tennis is unimaginable even at 37 years outdated. The query is just not whether or not he can, however whether or not he needs to. If he needs to, he will likely be a candidate for Grand Slam titles by the point he’s 40.”
Djokovic may have an ideal probability particularly on the Australian Open – the place he’ll attempt to win his eleventh title – and on the Wimbledon Championships.
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